Mount Kilauea is blasting out 'ballistic blocks' the size of KITCHEN APPLIANCES and the authorities are warning it could get WORSE

The eruption at 4am (3pm BST) on Thursday spewed ash 30,000 feet into the air.

But, the island’s two airports in Hilo and in Kailua-Kona have not been affected.

Hawaiian Airlines says its flights to the two airports are operating as scheduled. The airline is encouraging guests to monitor their flight status for updates.

During Thursday morning’s eruption, the state Civil Defence agency said the plume was drifting northeast and warned residents to shelter in place.

Driving conditions may be dangerous due to low visibility, the agency warned.

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Locals were warned to steer clear from the area at the risk of giant rocks flying through the air.

“At any time, activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent,” the U.S. Geological Survey said on its Kilauea status page.

The latest volcanic activity follows a spate of earthquakes that sent a large ash cloud spiraling up into the sky.

More than 10,000 residents have been displaced by the eruption, but more could be evacuated in the coming days.

The Kilauea volcano has been erupting almost continually for more than three decades.